Seeking the Face of Christ
Last year Bishop Declan began the consultation process ‘Seeking the Face of Christ’. The aim of the process was to ask “what is it we need to do to be more effectively church in the 21st century?” Everyone was asked to think about what strategies we need to put into place individually, as a parish and as a diocese as a whole to help us evangelise more successfully and live more faithfully the Good News.
The majority of people chose to respond as part of a parish group although some people submitted individual responses. Discussions ranged from youth, to the structure of our deaneries, from family life and spirituality to the environment.
Many people spoke of how fruitful they found these discussions in their own parishes.
All responses have now been read and collated. Draft guidelines have been produced. Bishop Declan will be sharing these guidelines and his vision for the future of our diocese in a series of meetings beginning on 26 January and continuing until March. The Dates of the meetings are as follows:
Saturday 26 January at St Bede’s Catholic College, Long Cross, Lawrence Weston, Bristol BS11 0SU
Saturday 16 February at Christ College, Arle Road, Cheltenham GL51 8LE
Saturday 23 February at St George’s Pastoral Centre, Billett Street, Taunton TA1 3NN
Saturday 1 March at St John’s, Parish Centre, Wingfield Road, Trowbridge BA14 9EA
All meetings run from 10.30 am to 1.00 pm with tea and coffee available from 10.00 am. They are open meetings and you can attend any which is convenient to you. In addition there will be gathering the clergy, Diocesan Pastoral Council and schools and colleges, which will focus specifically on their role in the life of the diocese.
These are draft guidelines; they are not the final word. After you have heard the Bishop talk about the guidelines and had an opportunity to study the proposals, you are invited either as a group, parish or individual to make a further response. You may not like some of the proposals, you may feel that there is a key area missing or you may consider the financial cost of implementing some of the proposals would be too high. Whatever your thoughts you have a further opportunity to make them known. You will be able to respond to the guidelines until May. After this the final document will be complied and launched in September.
The ‘Seeking the Face of Christ’ team would like to thank everyone for your commitment to the process, and the time, enthusiasm and support you have contributed. In a world which is often struggles to be a place of hope and sometimes seems beset with suffering, it is more important than ever that we are able to witness to our faith in all that we say and do and in every aspect of our lives. Working together we have an opportunity to be the change we want to see.
Ann Fowler
Email the ‘Seeking the Face of Christ’ team or write to St Ambrose, North Road, Leigh Woods, Bristol BS8 3PW.
Previous 'Seeking the Face of Christ' reports on cliftondiocese.com:
Opening of process, first meeting, Somerset meeting, Gloucestershire meeting, Bristol meeting, students contribute, pastoral council involved, collecting contributions and togetherness.
